World Briefs

December 24, 2009

AUTO RACINGSchumacher returning Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is coming out of retirement to drive for Mercedes in 2010, saying he expects to contend for the title again. The German, who turns 41 on Jan. 3, announced his comeback on Wednesday after three years away from the sport that he dominated for the first half of the decade. "Three years of absence gave back all the energy that I'm feeling right now," Schumacher said in a telephone conference. "I feel ready for some serious stuff. "I still feel absolutely on the edge. It's thrilling and exciting. I believe I can be absolutely competitive." Schumacher, who will join Nico Rosberg in an all-German team for the 2010 season, said he and Mercedes are in discussions about a deal through the 2012 season. "We are talking about a three-year deal. It's not a one-off thing," Schumacher said. "We are looking for some continuation." Financial terms were not disclosed, but Germany's Bild daily -- which first broke news of the deal -- reported that Schumacher would earn $10 million under an initial one-year contract. Schumacher competed in 249 F1 races from 1991-2006 with Jordan, Benetton and Ferrari. He won the F1 driver's championship in 1994 and 1995 and five straight years from 2000-2004. He set records with 91 race wins and several other milestones in the sport which still stand. Schumacher had planned a short-term comeback with Ferrari last season to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa, but he had to call that off due to a neck injury from a motorcycle accident. Schumacher's return gives him a chance to pay back Mercedes, which steered his pre-F1 career. "The one reason I seriously thought about my return is its because an old friend asked me," Schumacher said. "Mercedes gave me a chance to enter Formula One and throughout the years we were never able to work together, but now I have that chance. I am happy to give back for what Mercedes gave me in the early days. "I was not thinking I would have an offer," Schumacher said. "I could not have imagined I would have returned. Due to this special combination, that no one could have planned in advance, I just thought, 'Why not?"' NBAGasol gets extension Pau Gasol has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he's hoping Kobe Bryant follows his lead. Gasol's deal extends through the 2013-14 season, and could be worth more than $60 million depending on future salary caps. The Spanish power forward has been to two NBA finals since joining the Lakers on Feb. 1, 2008, propelling the franchise back into the league's elite. A dependable No. 2 scoring option alongside Bryant, Gasol averaged 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds last season while Los Angeles won its 15th NBA title. Gasol says he believes Bryant intends to finalize his own extension soon, keeping together the Lakers' championship core for several more years. Griffin closer to debut Clippers forward Blake Griffin has been cleared for tougher workouts on his injured left knee, moving the No. 1 draft pick closer to his NBA debut. Griffin underwent an MRI on his broken left kneecap Tuesday, and was cleared to begin running on an anti-gravity treadmill. If his recovery progresses as planned, the former Oklahoma star will be allowed to resume basketball activities in about three weeks. Griffin broke his kneecap during the Clippers' final preseason game on Oct. 23, and the club has been cautious about his recovery.